Cycle to Work Scheme

Our Company have started to offer the Cycle to work scheme.

Now I live 4.5 miles from where I work, and currently pay £45 for a four week bus pass.

Now looking at the figures I can spend up to £1000 (with VAT) on a bike and accessories with it only costing me around the same figure net. (as my bus pass)

Now to but it nicely I'm a numpty when it comes to push bikes. (some may say motorbikes as well)

So can people recommend what I will need and what is best to buy, will mainly be road riding to get to work. I know a number of people on here also ride push bikes

Idealy I don't want to spend the fully £1000 (including VAT) as the less I spend the less my salary will be reduced, and the more I make money.

I will need:
bike
chain
waterproof
helmet (keep it clean)
lights for when its dark
I think that is it unless you great people can think of other stuff?

Thanks you great people of the org!

Lily x

[Viney]

* Motivation to cycle every day no matter what the weather.

Originally Posted by Viney

* Motivation to cycle every day no matter what the weather.

I have the motivation currently to get on the bus with the werid and wonderful people that use that.... that's my motivation for getting on the bike, its the bike or the bus!

[fizzwheel]

If you are riding on the road, you want a road bike. Dont buy a Mountain Bike, they are IMHO much harder work to ride on the road.

Lily, who is your cycle work scheme affiliated with, normally you get a list of shops that you can go to to spend your cycle to work money with.

Personally I'd get along to one of those have a look at the bikes, sit on a few see what you like and what feels comfortable.

You've got the basics listed already, I'd add to that a puncture repair kit, and a mini pump and learn how to change a puncture. Nothing worse than being stranded with flat tyre.

You want to have a think about what to wear on the bike, Dedicated cyclnig gear is so much more comfortable than wearing normal clothes and it has the advantage that if it gets wet, it will dry out quickly once you have got to work and got changed into your work clothes.

For bikes, this is probbly at the top end of what you'll want to spend and is decent and get good reviews.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...WsUD6alCq-MVQG

Although to be honest, this would suit your needs perfectly well

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_231001

Something like either of those will see you right. IMHO if you are new to cycling or not very confident, something with flat bars on it as opposed to more of a race styled bike like I ride will suit you alot better.

Cycling shoes is another thing to think about, but dont worry about that to much to start with.

Oh and mudguards look sh*te but they do keep the rain, spray, mud and muck off you. especially if you are planning on cycling all year round. Definately worth considering IMHO.

3 miles? Save yourself the money and just walk it?! 45 mins slow, less than 30 fast...

Then that's £540 a year to spend on a holiday!

Spoke to our Financial Controller and he said I can go to any shop and choose what I want and ask for an invoice. The company will then raise a cheque to pay them and deduct the money out of my salary, once i have signed a loan agreement. At the end of the year, depending how much of the £1000 I spent will depend how much I have to pay to keep the bike. They are currently looking at charging £50 if you spent the fully hundred less if you spent less. (by the way the company I work for are intresting with their policies)

Originally Posted by carty

3 miles? Save yourself the money and just walk it?! 45 mins slow, less than 30 fast...

Then that's £540 a year to spend on a holiday!

Can't really walk it as the route is only pavemented half way.

Drew has corrected me it is 4.5 miles but still understand what you are saying

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by lily

Spoke to our Financial Controller and he said I can go to any shop and choose what I want and ask for an invoice.

OK Cool that gives you lots of choice then. Which is good.

The two I linked to above are from Halfords, which has its pro's & cons. They bikes are OK, but you might find that halfords dont setup them up properly so the gears etc dont work as well as they should.

The best thing to do I think is to go to any of the bike shops in your local area and have a look round them. Speak to the staff, see what they are like and then go from there. You are more likely to get better service and more choice from a dedicated bike shop than you will in Halfords.

[Binky]

Agree with Fizz, get a hybrid or road bike as it will make it easier and quicker to ride to and from work.

Cateye lights are good and waterproof if you get the right ones, which you'l need cycling in most weather.

You could pick up a really nice fixed gear bike off ebay or the like for around £300 or get something like a Dawes. I've currently got a Dawes. Holds up nicely, not too expensive (relatively) but still quality made.

I am sorry but I have to diagree with Fizz and Binky.
If its only a short distance then a mountain bike would be ok. If you are that concerned about the efficiency side of things, ie no suspension and skinny tyres inflated to high pressures then just get a rigid mountain bike and put some road tyres on it. I used to cycle 25 ish miles a day to and from work and the difference a set of raod tyres made was amazing.
It only takes 10 minutes to change a couple of tyres (maybe need to practice for a while first....lol) so if you had a mountain bike with two sets of tyres the bike is much more versatile.